ckescher

Hi. I am traveling solo to Anchorage- Denali in September. I am bringing my Nikon D500. I also have a Nikon wide angle 16-80 F2.8 and a Tamron 100-400 . My concern is the weather is unpredictable . I had thought about the ability to have easy access to both lenses and a tripod. I have a number of day trips planned, by rail, bus, and boat and air. Suggestions for photographing the Aurora Borealis ? I will be headed out at about 11pm and will stay until approx. 2 am. Concerns about the temperature and the camera and lens. Suggestions? I most likely will use my Nikon lens for this shoot. I planned my trip around the phase of the moon to give me the best opportunity to see the lights! Also being a senior citizen, I need to concern myself with carrying and easy availability to camera and lenses. Backpack?, Harness ?Waterproofing of carrying equipment? And generally the weight of all my equipment.
I am flying into a remote area for day to shoot (hopefully) bears at Lake Clark. I will be on a pontoon boat for this. I hope I can set up my tripod on this. All my trips will be rain or shine.
Any suggestions for my trip from equipment needs to general advice is greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance!
Carol

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

Best time to see the aurora is in the winter. Summertime there's too much light to get really good photos but it all depends on solar activity so it is possible.

The Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska (Fairbanks) has a forecast tool: https://www.gi.alaska.edu/monitors/aurora-forecast
Higher Kp (solar activity) produces stronger aurora and it goes further south.

ckescher

Thanks very much. Sunset when I am in Denali should be about 10 pm and there will be none to a slightly visible moon, I remain hopeful to see them in September.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

September should be getting toward equinox, so later in the month the sun will get well below the horizon to produce dark skies. Early September might not get very dark.

CamB Loc: Juneau, Alaska

I do photography tours out of Juneau. Anything after about the 15th. of August becomes a real toss up concerning weather. Anything goes. You can get rain and cold and even snow. Dress for everything and hope for the best. Your tours will NOT go regardless of weather. Water gets rough. Wind and and fog and storms grounds those Lake Clark float planes. Practice changing your lenses and using your camera in foul weather. Bear viewing trips need tripods and the captains and pilots deal with them all the time. Northern Lights are always a toss up, you just have to believe. Alaska is not easy buts that’s what most of us Alaskans love about it.
…Cam

ckescher

CanB thanks for your information. I have been thinking of having some dry packs with me too.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

In mid-September, here in south central Alaska, it should be adequately dark in the time period you mention. Typically, the lights like to come out around 2-4am. However, I don’t recall seeing the auroras in mid-September, though. September weather can be iffy, but generally it’s fairly decent. In mid-September the temperatures can range from freezing to the 60’s. I’d bring some cold weather clothing with you, a light down or synthetic down jacket and some gloves would be in order. Don’t forget some rain gear.

James Van Ells

I have been to AK half dozen times from September to early November. If there are not clouds, you be able to see the aurora in early Sept. You will need your wide angle, a tripod, and warm clothes. Enjoy the view and one of the most magical places left on earth.

BrHawkeye

September sunsets in Alaska can be remarkable. Because the sun is descending in a fairly shallow arc that far north they last for a long time, and the sky remains light for quite a while even after the sun sets. You've been given good advice on the aurora. Do monitor the Geophysical Institute site.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I just happen to have these links saved.

https://www.discoverak.com/camera-gear/
https://www.pointsinfocus.com/blog/2017/12/camera-gear-alaskan-cruise/
http://dailywildlifephoto.nathab.com/photography-guide/whats-in-the-camera-bag-alaska/
http://www.discoveryvoyages.com/planning-your-alaska-vacation/camera-equipment/

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

Jerry:
You post so often on so many different subjects that you must have thousands of links saved. How do you organize them so you can find the one you’re looking for?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I have 141 pages of links. I use a table in WordPerfect.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

I would probably have used a spreadsheet if I were that organized.

crapshooter Loc: Fox, Alaska

Mosquitoe Repellant, Head Net

VABob

I was there in 2nd week of September 2018 I shot pics of NLights two different nights at Denali Lodge. Would of gotten the third night if I had turned on text alerts. Bus/security vehicles call into office when the lights are spotted and they send out texts. This allows for some sleep. BTW one night it was at 11:30 and another at 3 AM. September is best month for color, temps were in 40-50's during the day. And the only negative weather was that the sky was blue without clouds much of the time and we saw Denali each of the 4 days we were in Denali Park. The train ride to the park was absolutely fantastic. I travelled most of the way on the covered area at the rear of most cars. Fantastic colors and views not seen unless you travel up on the trail and some on both sides of the track. BTW be safe and don't stick your camera out the side more than a few inches. I used Nikon 24-300 for all my shots from train and 200-500mm with bean bag from bus windows. Enjoy, it will be a trip of a lifetime.